Identification device.



E. FUCHS.

IDENTIFICATION DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 1912.

1,073,036, Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

' E. Fuclza.

@v W v ERNESTO FUCHS, OF GUAIDALAJ'ARA, MEXICO.

IDENTIFICATION DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

Application filed May 20, 1912. Serial No. 698,551.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ennnsro Fuons, a citizen of the United States,residing at Guadalajara, J alisco, in the Republic of Mexico, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Identification Devices, of whichthe following is a specification.

The general object of this invention is the provision of anidentification device which is adapted to be applied to a finger of aperson whereby an impression may be made of a portion of the linesofsaidfinger when the same is applied to a paper, said device also beingprovided with means for adjusting the same to the finger in the sameposition at all times, whereby an impression of the same portion of thefinger will be gained each time the device is used.

The invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with checks,drafts, deeds and other like documents, whereby the identification ofthe maker of the instrument is doubly assured, it being a well knownfact that the finger impressions of no two persons are alike.

In carrying out the objects of the invention generally stated above, itwill be understood, of course, that the essential features thereof aresusceptible to changes in details and structural arrangements, preferredand practical embodiments being shown in the accompanying drawing,wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the preferred form of theinvention, showing the same applied to a finger and in inoperativeposition. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the same in operativeposition. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device in the positionillustrated in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing in which like reference characters designatesimilar parts, it will be seen that the invention comprises a base plate10 having a central opening 11 therein which may be of any desiredconfiguration so that a portion of the finger of the operator willproject therefrom when the finger is depressed upon a piece of paperthus leaving a clear and distinct impression of that portion of thefinger thereon. The upper therefrom a tapered thimble 12 provided at itsend with an opening 13 adapted to receive the finger and at its outerend with an opening 14 which communicates with a recess 15 formed in thetopof said thimble and which is of a contour substantially the portionof the plate/1O has extending same as a finger nail. The forwardextremity of the plate 10 is provided with a pair of upstanding pivotears 16 having mounted therein a pintle 17 which has pivoted theretoa-casing 18 in which is secured an ink pad 19. A coil spring 20 is woundabout the pintle 17 and has its extremities in engage ment with thebottom of the plate 10 and pad 19 whereby the latter is caused to assumethe position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

hen the finger of an operator is inserted into the opening 13 of thethimble, it will be seen that the insertion of said finger is limited byreason of the tapered construction of said thimble and also by reason ofthe fact that the outer extremity of the finger will come in contactwith the pivot ears 16. It will be seen that each time the device isused, the same portion of the finger will at all times be uncovered bythe opening 11 in the plate thus insuring the same impression upon thepaper. After the finger has been inserted into the device, the pad 19 iscaused to engage that portion of the finger extending through theopening 11 whereby a sufiicient quantity of ink may be applied to theskin and upon releasing the said pad the same will assume an openposition so that it will not interfere when the impression is made uponthe paper.

What is claimed is 1. A device of the class described comprising a baseplate having an opening therein for exposing a portion of the end of afinger, and a pad hingedly connected to said plate and adapted fordirect contact with said portion of the finger.

2. A device of the class described comprising a base plate having anopening therein for exposing a portion of the end of a finger, a padhingedly connected to said plate and adapted for direct contact withsaid portion of the finger, and a casing for said pad.

8. A device of the class described comprising a base plate having anopening therein for exposing a portion of the end of a finger, meanscarried bysaid base plate for engaging the finger of an operator forretaining the same in engagement with said plate, means carried by theforward portion of said plate for limiting the forward movement of thefinger relative thereto, and a pad hingedly connected to the last namedmeans.

4:. A device of the class described comprising a base plate having anopening therein for exposing a portion of the end of" a finger, meanscarried by said base plate for engaging the finger taining the same inengagement with said plate, means carried by the forward portion of saidplate for limiting the forward movement of the finger relative thereto,a pad hingedly connected to the last named means, and a casing for saidpad.

5. A device of the class described comprising a base plate having anopening therein for ex osm a ortion of the end of a fin- U a I ger,means carried by said base plate for V Copies of this patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressing the of an operator forreengaging the finger of an operator for retaining the same inengagement with said plate, means carried by the forward portion of saidplate for limiting the movement of the finger relative thereto, a padhingedly connected to the last named means, and

means engaging said pad and said piate for retaining the former out ofengagement with the finger of the operator.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.ERNESTO FUCHS.

Witnesses: j

E. EDMONSTON, J11, E.'L. MUEL ER.

Washington, D. 0."

commissioner of Eatents,

